Politics & Government
Oyster Bay Considering Creating New Town Court
The Bureau of Administrative Adjudication would act as a court for the township, making it easier for residents to respond to summons.
![The Town of Oyster Bay is considering creating a new Bureau of Administrative Adjudication, which would act as a town court.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22892005/20230208/032242/styles/patch_image/public/legal-gavel-in-courtroom-shutterstock-148390613___08152201880.jpg)
OYSTER BAY TOWN, NY — The Town of Oyster Bay is considering creating its own town court, which could mean easier access to proceedings for residents.
The Town Board is considering the creation of the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication, which would function as a town court.
Right now, town code violations handed out by code enforcers are handled in the state District Court. If the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication is approved, it would have residents handle the issues locally.
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Under the proposal, the town supervisor would appoint a head of the department, and they would then select three others to act as judges.
Code enforcers would still issue summons and violations as normal. But instead of having to go to state court, those who receive summons would stay in the town to address the issue.
Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The new bureau would also protect the identity of residents who make complaints, town officials said.
Discussion on creating the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication will continue at the Town Board's next meeting on Feb. 28.
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